Big Q heavyweights set for showdown

BASKETBALL: Two of the early favourites in the Heathley Big Q League are set to light it up in what could be an early grand final preview tonight.

The league’s two unbeaten sides Harristown and Warwick clash as the main event of a double header at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

The Runnin’ Rebels continued to stamp their authority as the league’s most explosive team, piling on 112 points in a 16-point defeat of Mountaineers Development.

They backed up their 129point effort against Mt Crosby in week one, and Wildcats coach Duncan McKenzie knows they will have to be at their best defensively to stop their scoring.

“Their transition game is very strong. They’ve got Tito (Kwajakwan) who played with the ‘Neers,” McKenzie said.

“He’s fast, so if we can shut down their transition game it’s going to be a big help.

“Josh Derksen is a magical player and very dangerous ... He’s a fantastic player when he’s in the right frame of mind.”

Warwick welcomed James Legan back into the fray last weekend as the Wildcats get closer to full strength.

“It’s always nice to have a player like James on your team,” McKenzie said.

“He can be relied upon to go to and he’s also had a bit of a bond with our younger guys through training and playing together a couple of times.

“One of our strengths last season was running transition. We have a similar style of team and now got we’ve got James who’s an absolute threat from outside the three-point line.

“If anyone gives him an inch he will make them pay.

“It’s probably the strongest team we’ve ever put together which is really good. We haven’t had a full-strength team all season with a few niggling injuries.

“We’re hoping have to everybody there, but whether they’re at 100 per cent is another story.”

One of those players looking to return to complete health is forward Josh Cremasco, who made a big impact in the league last season.

“Young Josh bit of a cork in his leg, but him in transition is pretty hard to stop,” McKenzie said.

“He’s very mobile, has long arms and long legs and it would be good to see him have a strong game.

“His brother DJ has been pretty quiet this year. He’s been out of the game for a couple of months and is still trying to find his feet.

“He’s a magic shooter, and to have two like him and James is great. When they crack down on James, we have the option to shift it to DJ and we’re confident he’ll put the ball in the hoop.”

Harristown and Warwick tip off at 7pm, following on from USQ and Mountaineers Development at 5pm.

In the rounds final fixture, Harristown has to back up tomorrow against the Toowoomba Saints who are fresh after a week off.

Their game tips off at 3pm at Harristown SHS.